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Abstract:

A lens structure is provided. The lens structure comprises a first
barrel, at least one guider and a second barrel. The first barrel has a
first groove, and comprises a first pin. The guider is slidably set to
the first groove. The guider comprises a main body, a first limiting
portion and a second limit portion. The main body has a first end and a
second end opposite to the first end. The first limiting portion is
connected to the main body and located between the first end and the
second end. The second limiting portion is connected to the second end.
The second barrel moves with the guider through the first limiting
portion and has a second groove to which the first pin of the first
barrel is set.

Claims:

1. A lens structure, comprising: a first barrel comprising a first groove
and a first pin; a guider slidably disposed into the first groove, and
the guider comprises: a main body comprising a first end and a second
end; a first limiting portion connected to the main body and set between
the first end and the second end; and a second limiting portion connected
to the second end; a second barrel moving with the guider in accordance
with the first limiting portion, and the second barrel comprising a
second groove for the first pin of the first barrel to sliding.

2. The lens structure according to claim 1, wherein the second barrel
comprises a first surface and a second surface, and the first surface and
the second surface are located between the first limiting portion and the
second limiting portion.

3. The lens structure according to claim 2, wherein the first groove
extends to the second surface from the first surface.

4. The lens structure according to claim 1, wherein the first limiting
portion is connected to the first end of the main body, and the second
barrel is set between the first limiting portion and the second limiting
portion.

5. The lens structure according to claim 1, the lens structure further
comprises a third barrel, the second barrel is disposed inside of the
third barrel, and a second pin of the second barrel slides in accordance
with a third groove of the third barrel.

6. The lens structure according to claim 5, wherein the lens structure
further comprises a fourth barrel, and the guider slides in accordance
with a fourth groove of the fourth barrel.

7. The lens structure according to claim 6, wherein the fourth barrel
further comprises a fourth pin, the third barrel further comprises a
fifth groove, and the fourth pin and the guider slide in accordance with
the fifth groove.

8. The lens structure according to claim 1, wherein the lens structure
further comprises a fourth barrel, and a protrusion portion of the second
barrel slides in accordance with a ring groove of the fourth barrel.

9. The lens structure according to claim 1, wherein the guider further
comprises a third limiting portion, which is connected to the second
limiting portion and extends towards the first limiting portion.

10. The lens structure according to claim 9, wherein the second barrel is
set among the first limiting portion, the second limiting portion and the
third limiting portion.

11. The lens structure according to claim 1, wherein the main body of the
guider further comprises a first connection portion, the first limiting
portion and the second limiting portion are connected to the first
connection portion.

12. The lens structure according to claim 11, wherein the main body of
the guider further comprises a plurality of second connection portions,
which set on the first connection portion.

13. The lens structure according to claim 12, wherein the first limiting
portion is set on the second connection portion or the first connection
portion.

14. The lens structure according to claim 12, wherein the lens structure
comprises a plurality of the guiders, and the second connection portions
of the guiders form a ring piece.

15. The lens structure according to claim 11, wherein the second barrel
has a ring groove, and the first limiting portion slides in according
with the ring groove.

16. A lens structure, comprising: a first barrel comprising a first
groove; at least one guider slidably set to the first groove, and the
guider comprises: a first connection portion; a second connection portion
connected to the first connection portion; a first limiting portion; and
a second limiting portion connected to the first limiting portion and one
end of the first connection portion; and a second barrel comprising a
second groove and a ring groove; wherein the first limiting portion
slides in according with the ring groove, and the second barrel follows
the guider by the first limit portion.

17. The lens structure according to claim 16, wherein the guider further
comprises a third limiting portion, which is connected to the second
limiting portion and extends towards the first limiting portion, and the
second barrel is set among the first limiting portion, the second
limiting portion and the third limiting portion.

18. A lens structure, comprising a first barrel, a second barrel and a
third barrel, the first barrel comprises a first groove and a first pin,
the second barrel comprises a second groove and a second pin, the third
barrel comprises a third groove, the first pin slides in according with
the second groove, the second pin slides in accordance with the third
groove, and the lens structure comprises: a guider, comprising: a main
body comprising a first end and a second end; a first limiting portion
connected to the main body and set between the first end and the second
end; and a second limiting portion connected to the second end; wherein,
the guider is slidably set to the first groove.

19. The lens structure according to claim 18, wherein the guider further
comprises a third limiting portion, which is connected to the second
limiting portion and extends towards the first limiting portion.

20. The lens structure according to claim 19, wherein the second barrel
is set among the first limiting portion, the second limiting portion and
the third limiting portion.

Description:

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Taiwan application Serial
No. 100145154, filed Dec. 7, 2011, the subject matter of which is
incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates in general to a lens structure, and more
particularly to a lens structure with a prolonged optical zooming path.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Along with the advance in technology, digital camera mechanism has
been widely used in various digital products such as digital camera,
digital video recorder, mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA).
The digital camera mechanism comprises a lens structure and an image
sensor. The lens structure focuses an image on the image sensor, and then
the image sensor converts an optical image signal into an electrical
signal.

[0006] Conventional lens structure comprises a number of barrels which
move relatively to each other. A forwarding barrel of the barrels has a
groove, which defines an optical zooming path. Through the groove, the
forwarding barrel may move in a straight line to change the focus.

[0007] However, as the thickness of the lens structure is reduced, the
length of the forwarding path of the forwarding barrel is subjected to
the thickness of the barrel connected thereto, such that the length of
the optical zooming is restricted indirectly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The invention is directed to a lens structure with a prolonged
optical zooming path.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a lens
structure is provided. The lens structure comprises a first barrel, at
least one guider and a second barrel. The first barrel comprises a first
groove and a first pin. The guider is slidably disposed into the first
groove. The guider comprises a main body, a first limiting portion, and a
second limit portion. The main body has a first end and a second end
opposite to the first end. The first limiting portion is connected to the
main body and set between the first end and the second end. The second
limiting portion is connected to the second end. The second barrel moves
with the guider through the first limiting portion and has a second
groove. The first pin of the first barrel is slidably disposed into the
second groove of the second barrel.

[0010] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a lens
structure is provided. The lens structure comprises a first barrel, at
least one guider, a first limiting portion and a second barrel. The first
barrel comprises a first groove and a first pin. The guider slides in
accordance with the first groove. The guider comprises a first connection
portion, a second connection portion, and a second limit portion. The
second connection portion is connected to the first connection portion.
The second limiting portion is connected to one end of the first
connection portion. The first limiting portion is disposed on the second
connection portion. The second barrel comprises a second groove and a
ring groove. The first limiting portion slides in accordance with the
ring groove, such that the second barrel moves with the guider through
the first limit portion, and the first pin of the first barrel is
slidably disposed into the second groove of the second barrel.

[0011] The above and other aspects of the invention will become better
understood with regard to the following detailed description of the
preferred but non-limiting embodiment(s). The following description is
made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 shows a decomposition diagram of a lens structure according
to an embodiment of the invention;

[0013]FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the lens structure of FIG. 1
being at a close end;

[0014]FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the lens structure of FIG. 1
being at a wide-angle end;

[0015]FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the lens structure of FIG. 1
being at a telephoto end;

[0016]FIG. 5 shows an external view of a guider according to another
embodiment of the invention;

[0017]FIG. 6 shows a decomposition diagram of a first barrel, a second
barrel and a guider according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0018]FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the guider, the first barrel
and the second barrel of FIG. 6 being at a close end;

[0019]FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the guider, the first barrel
and the second barrel of FIG. 6 being at a wide-angle end;

[0020]FIG. 9 shows an expansion diagram of a first barrel of a lens
structure according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0021]FIG. 10 shows an expansion diagram of a second barrel of a lens
structure according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0022]FIG. 11 shows a schematic diagram of the first barrel of FIG. 9 and
the second barrel of FIG. 10 being at a wide-angle end; and

[0023]FIG. 12 shows a schematic diagram of the first barrel of FIG. 9 and
the second barrel of FIG. 10 being at a telephoto end.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, a decomposition diagram of a lens structure
according to an embodiment of the invention is shown.

[0025] The lens structure 100 may be widely used in various electronic
devices with image capturing function, and may be realized by such as
digital camera, digital video recorder, mobile phone or personal digital
assistant (PDA).

[0026] The lens structure 100 comprises a first barrel 110, a second
barrel 120, a third barrel 130, a fourth barrel 140 and at least one
guider 150. In the present embodiment, the quantity of the guider 150 is
exemplified by two, and the two guiders 150 are disposed in an asymmetric
manner. That is, the circular angle between the two guiders 150 is not
180 degrees. In another embodiment, two guiders 150 may be disposed in a
symmetric manner. That is, the circular angle between the two guiders 150
is 180 degrees.

[0027] The first barrel 110 has at least one first groove 110r and at
least one first pin 110p. The first pin 110p of the first barrel 110
slides in accordance with the second groove 120r of the second barrel
120. In the present embodiment, the first groove 110r is realized by a
forwarding slot. In addition, the quantity of the first pin 110p of the
first barrel 110 corresponds to that of the second groove 120r of the
second barrel 120, such as three or any other number.

[0028] The first barrel 110 has a first surface 110s1 and a second surface
110s2 opposite to the first surface 110s1. The first groove 110r extends
to the second surface 110s2 from the first surface 110s1 of the first
barrel 110. That is, the first groove 110r has two openings exposed on
the first surface 110s1 and the second surface 110s2 respectively.

[0029] To elaborate the present embodiment in greater details, "forwarding
slot" denotes the slot structure allowing the barrel to move in a
straight line. For example, the first groove 110r only extends along the
Z-axis, such that when the second barrel 120 rotates and then drives the
first barrel 110 moved, the first barrel 110 and the guider 150 move with
respect to each other in a straight line according to the first barrel
110 is restricted by the guider 150 (the guider 150 is restricted inside
the first groove 110r). The Z-axis is such as the direction of the center
axis of the barrel or the optical axis of the lens structure 100.

[0030] Although it is not illustrated in the diagram, the lens structure
100 may comprise a lens group disposed inside the first barrel 110. The
lens group is formed by such as at least one concave lens and/or at least
one convex lens. By moving the first barrel 110 in a straight line, the
position of the lens group may thus be changed.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 2, a cross-sectional view of the lens structure
of FIG. 1 being at a close end is shown. The guider 150 slides in
accordance with the first groove 110r of the first barrel 110. According
to the guider 150 is guided by the first groove 110r, the guider 150 may
move in a straight line along the Z-axis.

[0032] The guider 150 comprises a main body 151, a first limiting portion
152 and a second limiting portion 153. The main body 151 has a first end
151e1 and a second end 151e2 opposite to the first end 151e1. The first
limiting portion 152 is connected to the main body 151 and set between
the first end 151e1 and the second end 151e2. In the present embodiment,
the first limiting portion 152 is connected to the first end 151e1 of the
main body 151, and the second limiting portion 153 is connected to the
second end 151e2 of the main body 151.

[0033] As indicated in FIG. 2, the second barrel 120 is disposed inside
the third barrel 130. The second barrel 120, being restricted by the
first limiting portion 152 and drives the guider 150 to move. For
example, the second barrel 120 is disposed between the first limiting
portion 152 and the second limiting portion 153 for preventing the second
barrel 120 from being detached from the guider 150 and enabling the
guider 150 and the second barrel 120 to move with respect to each other.
In the present embodiment, the second barrel 120 has a first surface
120s1 and a second surface 120s2 opposite to the first surface 120s1. The
first surface 120s1 and the second surface 120s2 of the second barrel 120
are located between the first limiting portion 152 and the second
limiting portion 153, but the present embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0034] As indicated in FIG. 2, the guider 150 further comprises a third
limiting portion 154, the third limiting portion 154 is connected to the
second limiting portion 153 and extends towards the first limiting
portion 152, and the second barrel 120 is disposed among the first
limiting portion 152, the second limiting portion 153 and the third
limiting portion 154. In the present embodiment, since the third limiting
portion 154 presses the flange 122 of the second barrel 120, such that
when the second barrel 120 rotates, the shaking amplitude of the guider
150 is reduced by the flange 122 of the second barrel 120.

[0035] As indicated in FIG. 2, the second limiting portion 153 and the
first limiting portion 152 are substantially parallel to each other. In
another embodiment, the second limiting portion 153 and the first
limiting portion 152 may not be parallel to each other. For example, an
obtuse or acute angle is contained between the second limiting portion
153 and the first limiting portion 152.

[0036] By rotating the second barrel 120, the first barrel 110 is able to
switch among a close end, a wide-angle end, and a telephoto end. The
second barrel 120 may rotate around the Z-axis. The Z-axis is such as the
direction of the center axis of the barrel or the optical axis of the
lens structure 100.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional view of the lens structure
of FIG. 1 being at a wide-angle end is shown. During the process in which
the second barrel 120 of FIG. 1 rotates around the positive Z-axis and
moves along the positive Z-axis in a straight line, the guider 150 is
driven to move forward or backward in a straight line along the negative
Z-axis. Furthermore, since the second barrel 120 is restricted by the
first limiting portion 152, the second barrel 120 may drive the guider
150 to move when the second barrel 120 rotates. In the present
embodiment, since the guider 150 moves in a straight line along the first
groove 110r of the first barrel 110, the second barrel 120 may drive the
guider 150 to move in a straight line. That is, during the process in
which the second barrel 120 is transferred to the wide-angle end from the
close end, the second barrel 120 rotates and moves in a straight line
simultaneously. Besides, since the first barrel 110 is restricted by the
straight line movement of the guider 150, the first barrel 110 moves in a
straight line which follows the movement of the guider 150.

[0038] As indicated in FIG. 3, during the process in which the lens
structure 100 is transferred to the wide-angle end from the close end,
the first barrel 110 and the second barrel 120 respectively move in
opposite directions. When the lens structure 100 is at the wide-angle end
(FIG. 3), the first barrel 110 is protruded to be over the second surface
120s2 of the second barrel 120 and the guider 150.

[0039] As indicated in FIG. 3, the second barrel 120 has at least one
second groove 120r and at least one second pin 120p. The second groove
120r of the second barrel 120 has at least one rotation slot 120r1 and at
least one forwarding slot 120r2. Therefore, when the second barrel 120
rotates, the first pin 110p of the first barrel 110 is guided by the
second groove 120r of the second barrel 120, such that the first barrel
110 performs a predetermined movement with respect to the second barrel
120. Moreover, the extension method of the second groove 120r exemplified
in the present embodiment is only one example of the extension methods of
the second groove 120r, and the extension method of the second groove
120r is not limited thereto.

[0040] As indicated in FIG. 3, the third barrel 130 has at least one third
groove 130r. The second pin 120p of the second barrel 120 slides in
accordance with the third groove 130r of the third barrel 130, such that
the second barrel 120 is able to rotate and move forward or backward in a
straight line with respect to the third barrel 130. In addition, the
quantity of the second pin 120p of the second barrel 120 corresponds to
that of the third groove 130r of the third barrel 130, such as three or
any other number.

[0041] In the present embodiment, the third groove 130r has a first
rotation slot 130r1 and a second rotation slot 130r2, wherein the first
rotation slot 130r1 and the second rotation slot 130r2 are interconnected
to each other. When the lens structure 100 is at the wide-angle end (FIG.
3), the second pin 120p of the second barrel 120 is disposed in the
second rotation slot 130r2 of the third groove 130r.

[0042] To elaborate the present embodiment in greater details, "rotation
slot" denotes the slot structure allowing the barrel to rotate. For
example, the first rotation slot 130r1 extends along and around the
Z-axis and is thus able to guide the barrel connected thereto to rotate
and move in a straight line. In another example, the second rotation slot
130r2 only extends around the Z-axis, and is thus able to guide the
barrel connected thereto to rotate only, wherein "extend around the
Z-axis" means "extend along the outer circumferential direction of the
barrel". In another embodiment, the second rotation slot 130r2 may
simultaneously extend along and around the Z-axis. In addition, the
extension method of the third groove 130r is not limited to the
exemplification in the embodiments of the invention.

[0043] As indicated in FIG. 3, the third barrel 130 further has at least
one fifth groove 131, and the fourth barrel 140 comprises at least one
fourth pin 140p. The fourth pin 140p and the guider 150 are slidably set
to the fifth groove 131. That is, the fourth pin 140p and the guider 150
share the fifth groove 131. In the present embodiment, the fifth groove
131 is such as a forwarding slot, such that the fourth barrel 140 and the
guider 150 may only move in a straight line along the fifth groove 131.
Thus, since the first barrel 110 is restricted by the guider 150, the
first barrel 110 may only move in a straight line with the guider 150.

[0044] As indicated in FIG. 3, the second barrel 120 comprises at least
one protrusion portion 121, the fourth barrel 140 has a ring groove 141,
and the protrusion portions 121 of the second barrel 120 is slidably set
to the ring groove 141 of the fourth barrel 140. In the present
embodiment, two protrusion portions 121 are separately disposed, and are
adjacent to the first surface 120s1 of the second barrel 120. In another
embodiment, the protrusion portions 121 may be realized by a closed ring
or an open ring structure. The ring groove 141 is such as a rotation
slot. When the protrusion portions 121 is slidably set inside the ring
groove 141, the second barrel 120 drives the fourth barrel 140 to move
with respect to each other.

[0045] As indicated in FIG. 3, the fourth barrel 140 further has at least
one fourth groove 140r to which the guider 150 is slidably set. In the
present embodiment, the fourth groove 140r is such as a forwarding slot,
such that the guider 150 may only move in a straight line along the
fourth groove 140r.

[0046] The fourth barrel 140 has a first surface 140s1 and a second
surface 140s2 opposite to the first surface 140s1. The fourth groove 140r
extends towards the first surface 140s1 from the second surface 140s2. In
the present embodiment, the fourth groove 140r does not extend to the
first surface 140s1 but forms a side wall 140w on one end of the fourth
groove 140r. In another embodiment, the fourth groove 140r may extend to
the first surface 140s1 from the second surface 140s2. That is, the
fourth groove 140r has two openings exposed on the first surface 140s1
and the second surface 140s2.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 4, a cross-sectional view of the lens structure
of FIG. 1 being at a telephoto end is shown. When the second barrel 120
of FIG. 3 continues to rotate, the second pin 120p of the second barrel
120 rotates along the third groove 130r. In the present embodiment,
during the process in which the second barrel 120 is transferred to the
telephoto end from the wide-angle end, the second barrel 120, being
guided by the second rotation slot 130r2, only rotates but does not move
forward or backward in a straight line along the Z-axis, but the
invention is not limited thereto.

[0048] In another embodiment, the second barrel 120 may rotate and/or move
in a straight line according to the extension method of the third groove
130r, and is not limited to the embodiments of the invention.

[0049] Referring to both FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. During the process in which
the second barrel 120 of FIG. 3 continues to rotate to the telephoto end
of FIG. 4, the first pin 110p of the first barrel 110 is guided by the
second groove 120r of the second barrel 120, such that the first barrel
110 moves in a straight line along the positive Z-axis until the
telephoto end of FIG. 4 is reached. Meanwhile, the first barrel 110 is
protruded to be over the first surface 120s1 of the second barrel 120 and
the guider 150.

[0050] When the second barrel 120 rotates, the first barrel 110 may switch
between the position at which the first barrel 110 is protruded to be
over the first surface 120s1 of the second barrel 120 and the position at
which the first barrel 110 is protruded to be over the second surface
120s2, such that the movement path of the first barrel 110 is prolonged.
That is, the overall optical zooming path is prolonged.

[0051] Although the guiders 150 are separately disposed as exemplified
above, the guiders 150 may also be connected and the details are
elaborated below.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 5. FIG. 5 shows an external view of a
guider according to another embodiment of the invention. The lens
structure 200 comprises at least one guider 250, a first barrel 110, a
second barrel 120, a third barrel 130 and a fourth barrel 140.

[0053] In the present embodiment, the quantity of the guider 250 is
exemplified by two. The two guiders 250 are integrally formed in one
piece, and may be formed by using the injection molding technology, but
the invention is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the parts of
the guiders 250 may be manufactured separately and then are assembled or
bonded to form an integral structure.

[0054] The main body 251 of each guider 250 comprises a first connection
portion 2511 and a second connection portion 2512. The first limiting
portion 152 and the second limiting portion 153 are connected to the
corresponding first connection portion 2511. The second connection
portion 2512 is connected to the first connection portion 2511. Two
adjacent second connection portions 2512 are interconnected to form a
ring piece 255. In another embodiment, the quantity of the guider 250 may
be singular, and the second connection portion 2512 of the singular
guider 250 may form a ring piece as well.

[0055] Although the first limiting portion 152 of FIG. 1 is connected to
the first end 151e1 of the main body 151 in the above exemplification,
the first limiting portion 152 of FIG. 1 may also be connected to the
second connection portion 2512 or the first connection portion 2511 of
FIG. 2 as exemplified below.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 6, a decomposition diagram of a first barrel, a
second barrel and a guider according to another embodiment of the
invention is shown.

[0057] The lens structure 300 comprises at least one guider 350, a first
barrel 110, a second barrel 320, a third barrel 130 (not illustrated), a
fourth barrel 140 (not illustrated) and at least one first limiting
portion 352. The structure of the second barrel 320 is similar to that of
the second barrel 120.

[0058] In the present embodiment, the quantity of the guider 350 is
exemplified by two. Two guiders 350 are integrally formed in one piece,
but the invention is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the
parts of the guiders 350 may be manufactured separately and then are
assembled or bonded to form an integral structure.

[0059] Each guider 350 comprises a first connection portion 2511, a second
connection portion 2512, and a second limiting portion 153. The first
connection portion 2511 has a first end 2511e1 and a second end 2511e2
opposite to the first end 2511e1. The second limiting portion 153 is
connected to the second end 2511e2 of the first connection portion 2511.
The second connection portion 2512 is connected to the first connection
portion 2511. Two adjacent second connection portions 2512 are
interconnected to form a ring piece 255. In another embodiment, the
quantity of the guider 350 may be singular, and the second connection
portion 2512 of the singular guider 350 may form a ring piece as well. In
the present embodiment, the first limiting portion 352 may be disposed on
the second connection portion 2512 of the main body 151. In another
embodiment, several first limit portions 352 may be separately disposed
on the second connection portion 2512. In another embodiment, the first
limiting portion 352 is a ring structure disposed on the second
connection portion 2512.

[0060] In the present embodiment, the first limiting portion 352 is
disposed on the second connection portion 2512. The quantity of the first
limiting portion 352 may be any number, and is exemplified by three in
the present embodiment.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 7, a cross-sectional view of the guider, the
first barrel and the second barrel of FIG. 6 being at a close end is
shown. FIG. 7 only illustrates the guider 350, the first limiting portion
352, the first barrel 110 and the second barrel 320. The second barrel
320 has a ring groove 123 to which the first limiting portion 352 of the
guider 350 is slidably set, such that the second barrel 320 being
restricted by the first limiting portion 352 moves with respect to the
guider 350.

[0062] Referring to both FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional
view of the guider, the first barrel and the second barrel of FIG. 6
being at a wide-angle end. FIG. 8 only illustrates the guider 350, the
first barrel 110 and the second barrel 320. Since the first limiting
portion 352 and the ring groove 123 are mutually restricted, the guider
350 accordingly moves forward or backward in a straight line when the
second barrel 320 of FIG. 7 moves in a straight line along the positive
Z-axis.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 9, an expansion diagram of a first barrel of a
lens structure according to another embodiment of the invention is shown.
The first barrel 410 has a first pin 410p1 and a second pin 410p2,
wherein, the first pin 410p1 and the second pin 410p2 may be respectively
adjacent to the first surface 110s1 and the second surface 110s2 of the
first barrel 410.

[0064] In the present embodiment, the quantity of the first pin 410p1 is
the same with that of the second pin 410p2, and is such as three or any
other numbers. Several first pin 410p1 form a first pin group, and
several second pin 410p2 form a second pin group. Besides, in the above
embodiment, the structure of one group of first pins 110p of the first
barrel 110 may be similar to that of the first pin 410p1 and the second
pin 410p2 of the first barrel 410. Furthermore, other structure (such as
the first groove 110r) of the first barrel 410 may be similar to that of
the first barrel 110, and the similarities are not repeated here.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 10, an expansion diagram of a second barrel of a
lens structure according to another embodiment of the invention is shown.

[0066] The second barrel 420 has a first surface 120s1, a second surface
120s2, at least one accommodation recess 421 and at least one continuous
groove 420r. The first surface 120s1 and the second surface 120s2 are
opposite to each other. The continuous groove 420r has openings 420a1 and
420a2 respectively exposed on the first surface 120s1 and the second
surface 120s2.

[0067] In the present embodiment, the quantity of the continuous groove
420r is the same with that of the accommodation recess 421, and is such
as three or any other number. Besides, in the above embodiment, the
structure of the second groove 120r of the second barrel 120 may be
similar to that of the continuous groove 420r of the second barrel 420.
Furthermore, other structure of the second barrel 420 may be similar to
that of the second barrel 120, and the similarities are not repeated
here.

[0068] As indicated in FIG. 10, the continuous groove 420r comprises a
first sub-groove 420r1, a second sub-groove 420r2 and a third sub-groove
420r3, the first sub-groove 420r1 is connected to the second sub-groove
420r2, the third sub-groove 420r3 extends to the second surface 120s2 of
the second barrel 420 from the second sub-groove 420r2, and the second
sub-groove 420r2 extends to the first surface 120s1 of the second barrel
420.

[0069] As indicated in FIG. 10, the continuous groove 420r further
comprises a fourth sub-groove 420r4, which is connected to the first
sub-groove 420r1 and extends to the second surface 120s2 of the second
barrel 420 for exposing an opening 420a3 on the second surface 120s2,
such that the first pin 410p1 of the first barrel 410 enters the
continuous groove 420r through the opening 420a3 of the fourth sub-groove
420r4. Thus, the assembly is thus made easier and more convenient.

[0070] As indicated in FIG. 10, when the first barrel 410 and the second
barrel 420 are at the close end, the first pin 410p1 set in the
continuous groove 420r and the second pin 410p2 set in accommodation
recess 421. In the present embodiment, the first pin 410p1 is adjacent to
the junction between the fourth sub-groove 420r4 and the first sub-groove
420r1. Moreover, the relative positions between the first barrel 410 and
the second barrel 420 in the close end after assembly are similar to that
the first barrel 410 and the second barrel 420 of FIG. 2, and the
similarities are not repeated here.

[0071] As indicated in FIG. 10, the first sub-groove 420r1 comprises a
first rotation slot 420r11, a second rotation slot 420r12 and a third
rotation slot 420r13. The second rotation slot 420r12 connects the first
rotation slot 420r11 and the third rotation slot 420r13, and extends
between the first surface 120s1 and the second surface 120s2. The first
rotation slot 420r11 and the third rotation slot 420r13 only extend
around the Z-axis of the second barrel 420, and the third rotation slot
420r13 is connected to the third sub-groove 420r3. In the present
embodiment, the first rotation slot 420r11 and the third rotation slot
420r13 extend around the Z-axis, and the second rotation slot 420r12
simultaneously extends around and along the Z-axis (oblique extension),
but the present embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 11, a schematic diagram of the first barrel of
FIG. 9 and the second barrel of FIG. 10 being at a wide-angle end is
shown. Moreover, the relative positions between the first barrel 410 and
the second barrel 420 in the wide-angle end after assembly are similar to
that the first barrel 110 and the second barrel 120 of FIG. 3, and the
similarities are not repeated here.

[0073] During the process in which the first barrel 410 and the second
barrel 420 are transferred to the wide-angle end (FIG. 11) form the close
end

[0074] (FIG. 10), the first pin 410p1 moves inside of the continuous
groove 420r, but the second pin 410p2 moves to the outside of the second
barrel 420 from the accommodation recess 421.

[0075] As indicated in FIG. 11, when the first barrel 410 and the second
barrel 420 are at the wide-angle end, the first pin 410p1 set inside the
continuous groove 420r and the second pin 410p2 set outside the second
barrel 420.

[0076] As indicated in FIG. 11, the second sub-groove 420r2 comprises a
fourth rotation slot 420r24, a fifth rotation slot 420r25 and a sixth
rotation slot 420r26. The fourth rotation slot 420r24 connects the fifth
rotation slot 420r25 and extends to the first surface 120s1 for exposing
an opening 420a1 on the first surface 120s1. The fifth rotation slot
420r25 only extends around the Z-axis of the second barrel 420, and the
sixth rotation slot 420r26 connects the fifth rotation slot 420r25 and
the third rotation slot 420r13 and extends between the first surface
120s1 and the second surface 120s2. In the present embodiment, the fifth
rotation slot 420r25 extends around the Z-axis, but the fourth rotation
slot 420r24 and the sixth rotation slot 420r26 simultaneously extend
around and along the Z-axis (oblique extension), but the present
embodiment is not limited thereto. Moreover, in the present embodiment,
an acute angle Al is contained between the sixth rotation slot 420r26 and
the second rotation slot 420r12, but the present embodiment is not
limited thereto.

[0077] In the present embodiment, when the first barrel 410 and the second
barrel 420 are at the wide-angle end, the first pin 410p1 is adjacent to
the junction between the sixth rotation slot 420r26 and the third
rotation slot 420r13.

[0078] As indicated in FIG. 11, in the present embodiment, the fourth
rotation slot 420r24 is substantially parallel to the sixth rotation slot
420r26, and the third sub-groove 420r3 is substantially parallel to the
sixth rotation slot 420r26.

[0079] As indicated in FIG. 11, the fourth rotation slot 420r24 is
separated from the sixth rotation slot 420r26 by a distance S1 along a
direction D1, and the third sub-groove 420r3 may be separated from the
sixth rotation slot 420r26 by the same distance S1 along the same
direction D1, wherein the direction D1 is such as a direction around the
Z-axis. In addition, the first pin 410p1 of the first barrel 410 may be
separated from the second pin 410p2 by the same distance S1 along the
direction D1, such that the first pin 410p1 and the second pin 410p2 are
smoothly and slidably set to the continuous groove 420r.

[0080] Referring to FIG. 12, a schematic diagram of the first barrel of
FIG. 9 and the second barrel of FIG. 10 being at a telephoto end is
shown. Moreover, the relative positions between the first barrel 410 and
the second barrel 420 in the telephoto end after assembly are similar to
that the first barrel 110 and the second barrel 120 of FIG. 4.

[0081] During the process in which the first barrel 410 and the second
barrel 420 are transferred to the telephoto end (FIG. 12) from the
wide-angle end (FIG. 11), the first pin 410p1 is moved to the outside of
the second barrel 420 from the inside of the continuous groove 420r
through the opening 420a1, and the second pin 410p2 is moved to the
inside of the continuous groove 420r from the outside of the second
barrel 420 through the opening 420a2.

[0082] As indicated in FIG. 12, when the first barrel 410 and the second
barrel 420 are at the telephoto end, the first pin 410p1 set outside the
second barrel 420 and the second pin 410p2 set inside the continuous
groove 420r, and is such as adjacent to the junction between the fourth
rotation slot 420r24 and the fifth rotation slot 420r25.

[0083] According to the lens structure disclosed in the above embodiments
of the invention, when the second barrel rotates, the first barrel may
switch between the position at which the first barrel is protruded to be
over the first surface of the second barrel and the position at which the
first barrel is protruded to be over the second surface, such that the
movement path of the first barrel is prolonged.

[0084] While the invention has been described by way of example and in
terms of the preferred embodiment(s), it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited thereto. On the contrary, it is intended to
cover various modifications and similar arrangements and procedures, and
the scope of the appended claims therefore should be accorded the
broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and
similar arrangements and procedures.